International
Amnesty: Hamas forces beating and threatening peaceful protesters in Gaza
Amnesty International (AI) reported on Wednesday that Hamas’s internal security forces have harassed, intimidated, and beaten civilians in the Gaza Strip for participating in peaceful protests.
According to the organization, the incidents took place over the past two months, as Gazans took to the streets to protest not only against what they described as “Israel’s genocide” and the escalating bombings, but also against Hamas itself, which governs the enclave.
“These protests have attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of Palestinians. Demonstrators chanted slogans and carried banners criticizing the Hamas-led authorities in Gaza. Some even called for the end of Hamas rule,” said Amnesty. Protests were reported in locations such as Jabalia refugee camp, the Shuja’iya neighborhood in Gaza City, and Khan Younis.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty’s Director of Research, Advocacy and Campaigns, called on Hamas authorities to “immediately end all repressive measures against Palestinians who bravely and openly express dissent against Hamas practices in Gaza.”
“Reports of beatings, threats, and interrogations are extremely alarming and constitute serious violations of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” she added, calling it “abhorrent and shameful” that such intimidation is being added to the atrocities already suffered by Gaza’s population.
Amnesty said it interviewed more than a dozen individuals who had taken part in the protests. Several reported being summoned outside of official procedures, beaten with sticks, and in some cases, threatened with death.
“Security forces came in threatening and beating us, accusing us of being traitors just for protesting,” one protester told Amnesty.
Another young man recounted being hit in the neck with sticks, shouted at, and accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence: “I lost my family in one of the worst massacres of this war—five brothers and their children were killed. It’s horrifying to be labeled a collaborator, to have your patriotism questioned, after your family has been ripped from you,” he said.
Central America
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
The Ambassador of Peru to El Salvador, Jorge Rosado La Torre, reaffirmed on Monday evening—during Peru’s Independence Day celebration—that Peru “maintains historic ties of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect with El Salvador” and acknowledged “its firm willingness to continue deepening our bilateral relations.”
Rosado La Torre highlighted the strong relations between El Salvador and Peru at the ceremony held at the Palacio Tecleño de la Cultura y las Artes to mark the 204th Anniversary of Peru’s Independence, proclaimed on July 28, 1821.
“El Salvador and Peru share fundamental principles: respect for the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, multilateralism, and the defense of peace and democracy,” the diplomat said during the event, which was attended by diplomatic authorities, Salvadoran officials, members of the Peruvian community, and friends of Peru.
The ambassador also emphasized that Peru and El Salvador “are also united by cultural, social, and human bonds, which grow stronger every day through joint work and the connection between our societies.”
Rosado La Torre noted that Peru’s Independence Day “not only allows us to celebrate a national milestone but also to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation between our peoples.”
International
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
The United States and China “will continue working” to secure an extension of their tariff truce, China’s international trade representative Li Chenggang said Tuesday, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Li’s comments followed negotiations in Sweden with a U.S. delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, describing the talks as “frank, in-depth, and constructive,” Xinhua reported.
The discussions aimed to prolong the 90-day pause negotiated in Geneva in May—set to expire on August 12—which temporarily ended the mutual retaliatory measures that had triggered punitive tariffs. The truce lowered customs duties on U.S. and Chinese goods from 125% and 145% respectively, to a more moderate 10% and 30%, on top of existing tariffs, ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year.
The U.S. and Chinese delegations—led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng—also exchanged views on key economic and trade issues and pledged to maintain close communication, Li added.
The talks in Sweden came at the start of a crucial week for Trump’s trade policy, as tariffs on most of the United States’ main trading partners are set for a sharp increase on August 1.
International
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump launched a formal investigation on Monday into Duke Universityand its law journal over alleged “discriminatory practices.”
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened the probe following complaints that Duke’s law review selection process allegedly awarded extra points to applicants who “referenced their race or ethnicity in their personal statements,” according to a statement from the department.
Based in North Carolina, Duke is the latest academic institution to come under scrutiny from the Republican administration, which has escalated an ideological battle against universities.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that higher education institutions have been “captured by the far left” and has taken action to sanction and ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs aimed at addressing social inequities in admissions and faculty hiring.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent a joint letter to Duke’s leadership expressing concerns about the use of “racial criteria in hiring, admissions, and scholarship awards,” particularly within the university’s health system.
“I’m proud to partner with Secretary Kennedy to ensure Duke commits to excellence, integrity, and respect for the law in shaping the nation’s future leaders,” McMahon said.
“Granting illegal preferential treatment based on immutable characteristics is an affront not only to civil rights laws but also to the meritocratic nature of academic excellence,” she added.
The decision to investigate Duke comes just days after Columbia University agreed to pay a $200 million fine to settle accusations by the Trump administration of alleged antisemitism.
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoChevron cleared to pump oil in Venezuela again, but Maduro won’t see the profits
-
International5 days agoClaudia Sheinbaum condemns Gaza famine and urges peace between Israel and Palestine
-
International1 day agoFour dead, thousands flee as floodwaters ravage Northern China
-
International4 days agoColombian Vice President Francia Márquez accuses government of sidelining her role
-
International4 days agoMexico launches electronic visa system to modernize and speed up immigration procedures
-
International1 day agoMultiple fatalities reported in Nevada Resort shooting as Police detain gunman
-
International2 days ago
Mexico City becomes ‘forced waiting point’ as migrant crisis deepens
-
International1 day agoFive security guards killed in mass shooting at Bangkok Market
-
International1 day agoNetanyahu cites historic success against Iran as he pledges relentless Gaza campaign
-
International2 days agoOpposition still rejects Maduro’s Victory as anniversary of 2024 vote nears
-
International1 day agoZelensky praises Trump’s ‘clear stance’ on Russia as ultimatum deadline tightens
-
International1 day agoVatican reports $72M profit in 2024, boosted by real estate and investments
-
International12 hours agoMedvedev warns Trump after new Ukraine ultimatum: ‘Russia is neither Israel nor Iran’
-
International1 day agoPeru’s president under fire as she promises crackdown on organized crime
-
International1 day agoHepatitis D declared carcinogenic as WHO urges action to end global crisis
-
International12 hours agoU.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
-
Central America12 hours agoPeru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
-
International12 hours agoArgentina requests reentry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program during DHS chief’s visit
-
International12 hours agoTrump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
-
International12 hours agoPetro accuses Marco Rubio of undermining colombia’s sovereignty over Uribe comments